TWO police officers will appear in court accused of beating up a man.

The 33-year-old victim needed hospital treatment for his injuries.

Robert Rangeley and Paul Bridger, both constables, have been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm following the incident in Eastbourne on January 5.

They were not on duty at the time of the alleged attack.

Paramedics were called to The Eagle pub in South Street at around 2am.

They treated the man for head, face and hand injuries and took him to Eastbourne District General Hospital.

Police were also called to the scene and arrived at 2.07am. The pair were arrested on the same day and then released on bail.

Bridger, 32, a response officer based in Lewes, was suspended on March 24.

In 2014 he was commended for chasing and arresting a rape suspect while injured.

Rangeley, 35, based in Eastbourne, was on sick leave at the time and has remained so since, a police spokesman said.

Both officers will appear at Hastings Magistrates’ Court on April 26.

Inspector Matt Webb, chairman of the Sussex Police Federation, said: “It’s an ongoing investigation so we are not able to comment further at this stage.

“If they face a misconduct investigation then we will represent them as is their right but at this stage we will leave the criminal investigation to take its course.”

The allegations follow the ongoing investigations of three other officers – Brighton Inspector Tony Lumb, Chief Inspector Rob Leet and Sergeant Sarah Porter

Lumb was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over claims he had sex with women he met while on duty.

He has been suspended and released on bail while the Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation continues.

It is alleged he had improper sexual relationships with a number of women he met in the course of his duties.

Chief Insp Leet and Sergeant Porter are being investigated over claims they had sex while on duty.

At least four Sussex officers have been sacked for misconduct since December 2015.